The Japan Open semi final match of Akane vs Wang Shixian was a thriller match, a better watch than the finals. She held her composure even after getting smacked on the face with a smash by Shixian, who not only did not apologize, but stared at her like a hungry tiger. Look at the legs on Akane, the 2 assets enabling her to run like Speedy Gonzalez. This cements the fact that you don't have to have long legs to cover superbly like Chen Long, nor be dissapointed with a lousy smash if you do not have the height. I mean take a look at Akane's smash. That said, I think that's how Eddy Choong the Atom played in his heydays. Akane has the guile like Zhao, legs like Xiong Guobao, and a maturity play like Yang Yang, retrieves the shuttle like LCW, all packed in a tiny frame. Any coach will delight to have such a prodigy. All you need to do is polish the uncut diamond. Amazing, amazing
A very promising talent and a great future ahead for Yamaguchi. I like to watch her play badminton and is very modest on court, looks very disciplined & dedicated. She does not shout/scream at her opponents like Marin. Yamaguchi is a very talented, disciplined & humble sportsperson ideal to be as role models for youngsters.
Isn't it the case that Akane normally performs less brilliantly against her compatriots? Just a general observation.
Yeah, against other good players on her team like Okuhura, they probably know her weaknesses from regular training.
Just watching her currently... her footwork has a long way to go. Looks almost drunk staggering around the court at times. Is she unfit or injured? It looks like she's relying on pure determination and doggedly chasing the shuttle...
Her footwork is very good. Her issue is that she needs to take 4 times the number of steps compared to an Axelsen or Chen Long.
It's more than that. Because it takes her longer to get to the destination, she has to start out early. This obviously requires good prediction, but she will often need to change direction to adjust to the actual shot. She also often tries to cut off the shuttle (to avoid unnecessary legwork), which requires quick reactions too. You'll see her check her stride as she switches over from predicted shot to actual shot, plus any necessary leg changes and direction adjustments. You might see her lean a lot in order to increase her acceleration and change direction. She often has to get vertical to reach the shuttle, so you'll see her use the splits, sometimes with a supporting step afterwards (Busanan-style). You'll also see her pause before cutting off the shuttle in order to time her jump. And probably more that I can't see. If this doesn't impress you, it should. The only player in the same league is Okuhara, but she has it a little easier, considering her (small) height advantage.
Congratulation to Akane for new highest ranking of number 2 I wonder whether a Japanese women single player has ever been ranked n°2 in the world? Okuhara went as high as 3 but I would not be surprised if Akane is in fact the first japanese women single player to achieve a number two ranking. To add to her long list of achievements!
This must have been a difficult year for yamaguchi .. Doing well consistently on the circuit and contesting not less than 4 major tournaments final (Asia Championships, Australian Open, French Open, and Denmark Open) but have yet to win a single one. She did win the German Open after a walkover of Carolina Marin but confidence-wise this must be taxing. Hopefully still a chance for her with three tournaments left! She really deserves a big win
Can't agree more with this. I hope she can win in China Open. Was kinda rooting for her already during French final, but was also expecting TTY to win it because it is just time for her to win another title again.
I wouldn't count on it. She has the hardest draw of all the top players. Hong Kong looks slightly better, but not by much. Today, she had to carry the expectations of her team in the first league match (3 game win against Sayako Sato) and on the 7th, there's already the next national training camp. After that, two more weeks of SS tournaments, the Japan National Championships and the season finale in Dubai plus more league matches. I'd really advise her to take some time off soon, or she'll be mentally drained. She only turned 20 in the summer, has to carry the expectations of club, country and herself and plays probably more matches than anyone else on the tour. Can't be good for her.
yeah, I was basically supporting her for the next 3 SSs regardless of the condition. But certainly I don't expect much with her currently busy schedule
ya, she has more tournaments in the past 52 weeks than any of the other top players... 18 for her & sung ji hyun. http://bwfbadminton.com/rankings/2/bwf-world-rankings/7/women-s-singles/2017/44/?rows=25&page_no=1